Nowadays, you can never be too safe when surfing the web and you need to use every security measure at your disposal to keep your connection safe and your information private. But, even with the most fail-safe online browsing strategy, there might still be a few loopholes left uncovered that can pose a considerable risk in the long run.
For example, unknowingly, you could be using the wrong VPN, putting you in greater danger than when you were without a VPN. Sometimes it’s even better to have no cyber-security than one that opens to risk. The question then inevitably is, how do you choose a quality VPN service?
Top Online Security Mistakes
While most of us know that it’s important to ensure online data protection when surfing the web, there’s no denying that many are still careless. Sure, you might have standard security measures in place but if you don’t set up firewalls, or update your software and you’re not using a good quality VPN service then you are placing yourself at risk. You’re basically leaving a loophole in your security details that hackers can use to infiltrate through dangerous malware.
On the other hand, you might be one of those people that have half-baked security measures with no data backup. Or you might be placing yourself at risk by browsing the net through an unencrypted Wi-Fi connection.
Whatever your mistake, there’s still a chance to set it right and protect your online activity once more.
But, the biggest mistake you can make is to choose a faulty and unsafe VPN, even with good intentions. This could place your business at greater risk than if you didn’t have a VPN provider in the first place. For example, many free VPNs put you at a higher risk than not having one in the first place.
It’s important to note here that not all VPNs are the same. That’s why you should use a careful vetting process when choosing a quality VPN service so that you don’t end up at risk without even realizing it. In fact, it’s not uncommon for some VPNs to come with malware that will cause havoc to your system.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Your Needs
It’s difficult to choose a VPN nowadays because there are a lot of options available to choose from. But, as with anything, using a tried and tested vetting process will go a long way in helping you find the right option for your needs. You just need to know what you’re looking for.
Here are some of the most important considerations to have in mind when looking for a quality VPN service:
1. Check Online Reviews
Before you choose a VPN, you must do your due diligence and find out as much as you can about it. Look for reviews and recommendations. If you like, you could even consult with an IT professional who will give you relevant information on each option.
2. Determine Your Needs
For the best results, opt for a VPN provider than can offer you solid evidence that it operates according to industry regulations. This is usually the case with peer-reviewed companies that follow industry standards.
3. Create a Budget
There are always free VPN providers that will promise you the world, but we strongly advise you against them. When it comes to VPNs cheaper isn’t always better because it means the provider will recoup their costs one way or another, probably by compromising user security and selling their data. It’s better to go with a pricey option that will protect your data and privacy.
4. Check the Type of Implementation
A comprehensive VPN provider is your best bet for a quality VPN service because it means that they’ll cover all the bases. A poor VPN can expose you to security risks by only offering last-mile encryption that can be easily penetrated by hackers. Again, it’s better to pay a little more for a top quality VPN than to endure the risk of a provider with loopholes.
The Dark Web
If you use the Internet a lot, then you’ve probably heard about the Dark Web. We’ve all heard stories about the dodgy practices that happen in this very dark part of the web and it functions more like an antithesis to the Internet we use on a daily basis.
It might seem like an exciting frontier for some because it’s a wild and free realm where anything is possible, but for Internet users with evil motives, it presents other possibilities. Sure, the Dark Web offers you the opportunity to access otherwise restricted access and it may even help you overcome unfair geo-restrictions while enjoying open speech. But, if you make the mistake of using a weak VPN to browse the dark web, then you might end up getting exposed to bad characters who wouldn’t think twice about scamming you in one way or another.
The thing about the Dark Web is that almost everyone who uses it has a masked IP address, which makes it impossible to find perpetrators of bad deeds. So, if you slip up and get hacked on the Dark Web, you’ll be hard pressed to find justice. It’s not uncommon for perpetrators to break copyright laws and other regulations on this part of the web.
It’s worth noting that having unrestricted access to all parts of the web will also expose you to viruses and malware attacks, regardless of how good your intentions are. So, a VPN can be used for good and for bad intentions, which is why it’s important to ally yourself with a provider that follows proper regulations and doesn’t violate copyright and other laws.
But not all VPN providers are equal in their effectiveness at ensuring online security and data protection. That’s why it’s important to choose a VPN provider that will protect you at all costs instead of one that will increase your risk.
Conclusion
Virtual Private Networks or VPNs for short are a fantastic way to protect individuals and organizations from the various threats that come with browsing the modern-day web. With a top-notch VPN, you’ll not only be able to hide your IP address, but you can rest assured that your information will be protected and that you won’t have to suffer from geo-restrictions and slow loading speeds again.
WebSafetyTips has already done the research for you and recommend IPVanish as a quality VPN service. IPVanish offers the above mentioned benefits, which is why it comes highly recommended for anyone that cares about online safety.
